Fall Garden Checklist: Essential Tasks for a Healthy Spring Garden

Water

Give all plants a good drink, especially trees. Their roots need ample moisture to survive winter.

Before autumn begins, learn how to tend your garden at summer's end.

Shop for Bulbs

Order from catalogs or visit garden stores early for best selection.

Test Garden Tip: If deer or rabbits are a problem, choose pest-resistant bulbs like daffodils, Siberian squill, and fritillaria. Learn about the best spring-blooming bulbs and more pest-resistant varieties.

Clear Debris from the Base of Roses

Fallen rose foliage harbors diseases that overwinter and cause problems next year. Learn more about preparing roses for winter.

Plant Shrubs and Evergreens

Early fall planting gives new plants time to establish roots before winter. Get tips for planting trees and shrubs.

Amend Your Soil

Prepare ground for next year's beds and fall bulbs by tilling and adding homemade compost. Learn to make and use your own compost.

Plant Fall Annuals

Replace faded summer blooms with fall annuals like mums, pansies, and ornamental kale. Beautify your yard with fall container garden ideas.

Lower the Height on Your Lawn Mower

Grass grows slower in fall but still needs cutting to prepare for winter. A lower cutting height helps soil dry faster in spring. Learn more about lawn mowers and fall lawn-care secrets.

Feed the Birds

Don't forget feathered friends; their food supply dwindles in autumn. Learn about bird feeding and top berry plants for attracting birds.

Divide and Cut Back Perennials

While dividing, rearrange plants that haven't thrived in their current spot.

Test Garden Tip: Hold off dividing asters, chrysanthemums, and other fall-blooming perennials—split them in spring. Get step-by-step tips for dividing perennials.

Dig Summer Bulbs

Save favorite summer bulbs for next year! Dig and store dahlias, cannas, caladiums, callas, and other tender bulbs in peat moss or sand in a cool (around 50°F), frost-free spot. Note: If bulbs are hardy in your zone, leave them in ground. Digging is only necessary where winter cold exceeds their hardiness. Get more tips on storing tender bulbs and discover favorite summer bulbs.

Rake and Mulch

Unattended fallen leaves can suffocate lawn. Shred them for excellent mulch. Find the best mulch for your garden.

Get Bulbs in the Ground

Plant spring-blooming bulbs now for colorful displays.

Test Garden Tip: You can often plant bulbs until the soil freezes solid. Don't miss our bulb planting tips!

Force Bulbs Indoors for Winter Color

Get early spring by planting bulbs now to bloom indoors in January/February. Narcissus and hyacinth work well if planted now and kept cool until ready to enjoy. Discover more on forcing bulbs.

Feed Your Lawn

Don't let your lawn enter winter without nutrients for the long sleep. Know how much lawn food to use with our fertilizer calculator.

Bring Tender Container Plants Indoors

Remove dead foliage and break up hardened soil before moving tropical plants (mandevilla, passionflower, citrus) indoors for winter.

Test Garden Tip: Watch for pests. Spray if needed to keep aphids, mealybugs, etc., out of your house. Get more tips.

Empty Hoses, Fountains, and Drip-Irrigation Systems

Remove standing water from watering equipment; store in a dry place.

Clean up the Vegetable Garden

Remove weeds and debris so pests don't overwinter.

Dig Up Annuals

Spent summer annuals can nourish the compost heap.

Protect Cold-Sensitive Plants

Shrubs, roses, and perennials vulnerable to cold blasts should be protected with mulch or other coverings. Apply frost barriers after the first freeze.

The Proper Way to Plant a Tree

The Proper Way to Plant a Tree